Baking Recipe: Bailey's Oreo Mousse Cake

I could still remember that very day I turned 21 and it sure feels like yesterday. I used to have this mind set thinking that being 21 means I am adult and that I would  have my own say and way to do things. Boy, was I wrong about that! Regardless the age I am now, whatever it is I will still be mom and dad's girl and my brother will sure be their young little boy in their eyes.

Who knew right.. time flies and that now my younger sibling is 21 years of age. It's time for him to spread those Vulcan wings and explore the possibilities in the world. With the right attitude and mind set, I sure hope he continues to develop his character, staying humble at all times and always be my cute loving brother whom I adore and pamper till this very day.

Let me tell you a little about him. My brother loves his OREOS to bits. From ice-cream to pop-tarts. As long it is cookies and cream involved, you will see him taking a huge glass of milk and dunking those little choc nuggets in it. There is never enough of OREOS in the house.

Naturally, the cake I baked for him has OREOS involved. No, it won't be OREO butter cream or cream cheese frosting. I wanted something lighter and fluffy to go along with my ultra dark chocolate cake covered with a layer of BAILEY'S Chocolate Milk syrup. Hence, I felt that the OREO mousse will work out perfectly. On the outer layer, the cake is covered with rich semi-sweet soft chocolate ganache frosting.

For recipe: Click on Image

Doesn't this cake make you drool? Isn't it perfect for a 21st Birthday? The flavours of the cake is the ultimate combo. In a single bite, you will first taste the luscious silky semi-sweet chocolate ganache, then a hint of Baileys, then followed by the ultra fluffy cookies and cream or OREOS mousse filling where it's balanced all together with the rich aroma of dark, dense and moist chocolate cake. Now peeps, that to me is heaven.


Before I bid adios, needless to say that this post is dedicated to my brother who is a young man now. HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY!!! Do continue to support me okay? Even though I can be nasty.. LOL..

xx

Baking Recipe: Custard Cream Puff & TGIF!!!

Hoorah!! The weekend is here again. It feels like lately, I just look forward to weekends. The best time for me to just laze around, be lazy and do nothing. So you think right? Not quite really. Lately I spent a lot of time trying to meet up with my friends, hence the lesser blogging too. Also, my buddy from Melbourne will be coming back for a week.

Only one thing in our minds for sure. Eat, eat, and more eating. Then there is a ton of catching up on our usual girl.. (oops ladies now).. lady talk. That got me going through my travel photos and I have so many that I have yet share here in my posts. So slowly, I will try to draft posts differently and hopefully make it a more interesting read.

If you are interested to know, the photo above is a masterpiece though it's depicted from a famous artist's work. I was walking along the Yarra River, Southbank, down at Melbourne CBD, and stumble upon this guy who drew quite a number of art work on the pavements. Though the photo above has been slightly washed off by rain, you could see how much heart, tears and sweat was put into that single canvas of art work. Plus it's not paint. Hand drawn with chalks. AWESOME!!

You must be thinking, how is my custard cream puff related to the photo above? Well, there is no relation at all. However would it help that every where I go, or which ever country I am in, I would just walk into a bakery and get myself a custard cream puff or profiterole? This is one of my absolute favourite treats. I loved it as a kid and still love it till this day. Since I know how a cream puff should taste like, I sure hope you will enjoy this recipe of mine.

For recipe: Click on image

When I served it to my family, particularly my dad's first words uttered were "wow girl! this reminds me of the cream puff I had in London during my younger days". To know I jolted my dad's memory is fantastic.

After all I am really fussy about how my custard cream puff should taste like. Though it's a basic choux pastry; if baked perfectly, and filling is flavoured well, a simple custard cream puff could send fireworks into your brain. Plus, custard cream puffs should always be served fresh on the day itself. For additional kick, make sure to coat it will real good semi-sweet chocolate. Custard Cream Puff to me will always be a simple, classy light treat.

Have a good weekend y'all!!

xx

Baking Recipe: Raspberry Trifle Cupcake

This could possibly be your first thought "more cupcakes?" or maybe should try it with more enthusiasm instead "ooOo.. Raspberry Trifle Cupcakes?" It seems lately I have been bitten by the cupcake bug cause every time when I think of something to share with you, cupcake happens to just pop into my mind.

Okay perhaps I have gone out and not bake something this good in a conventional manner. Yes, I am aware a Trifle should be served in a trifle bowl and for this time I beg to differ. Isn't it fun to have some fun in the kitchen? It's sure a channel for me to relieve stress. The only thing I possibly dread most is cleaning up. LOL...

Basically this cupcake resembles to all the basic elements you find in a trifle. A good raspberry jam, custard and sponge cake. Raspberry Trifle is one of my dad's favourite festive dessert. So when he knew I baked them in a form of a cupcake, he went "really.. a cupcake?"

For recipe: Click on image

Now, this cupcake just needs a little effort, patience and love while assembling them. The baking part is easy, and if I say so myself; feel free to go with your found trusted vanilla cake recipe. And if you feel like using a pre-mixed instant cake mix, go ahead. Who's going to hold you to that? I sure wouldn't so long you get to spread the love of this little gem around. As for the custard, I cooked it from scratch and I think it's important to get a really good raspberry jam. The raspberry jam marry all the flavours together bringing the vanilla cake and custard to life.

Serve the cupcake with a cup of tea, espresso or even with a cold glass of milk. A perfect tea time treat as this cupcake is ultra moist and when you get towards the middle, you will experience the berry tangy taste softened by the mild luscious creamy custard. Let me tell you that the centre of this Raspberry Trifle Cupcake is the best part and it happens to be my new absolute favourite combo. Have a great weekend!!

xx

Baking Recipe: Reese's Peanut Butter Cupcake

I admit recently that my posting has been rather slow and I had been getting feedback from my buddies that I need to get the ball rolling. I do apologise and hope that you continue to support me nevertheless. It's a new year and work has been on a rocky start this year. No excuse, but it did dampened my spirit and all I wanted to do was just nothing during the weekends.

Thanks to your sweet compliments, that gave me the drive to think of what to bake for my family and friends. In fact, I can't wait to share this with you too.

Today's post is meant for all the Reese's Peanut Buttercup fans; and if I say so myself, I am one crazy peanut butter and chocolate lover. I love it not only on a slice of bread, even if I had to choose an ice-cream flavour to indulge in, PB and Chocolate is my No.1 go to sin. Yummm.. yummm.

Over the weekend, my family was treated to my very own favourite flavour pairings. Peanut Butter and Chocolate. I just love the rich creamy taste of peanut butter, and when nobody's watching, I would just eat it as it is with a spoon licking it sparkly clean. Delish!!

For recipe: Click on image to enlarge

I baked them my very own ultimate Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cupcake. If you have not had one before, feel free to order them from me if you like ;p. Caution though, just make sure you order sufficient cuppies so that you don't have to fight with anyone to get seconds or thirds..LOL

If the name still haven't manage to tempt you, maybe this might. The dark rich moist chocolate cupcake has a layer of salty-sweet creamy peanut butter fluffy frosting slathered all over. On the inside, there is a peek-a-boo moment, let's just say more peanut butter? Yup, that's right each cupcake had 2 mini Reese's peanut buttercups submerged into the batter, baked to perfection. Sweet cream peanut butter on the outside, paired with slightly salty peanut butter from Reese's buttercup on the inside is simply heaven.

xx

Baking Recipe: Orange Blossom Cupcake & Award

Wow, the past week has been a hectic week that involved a LOT of eating.. LOL. This is what Chinese New Year is all about. It's about spending good time, and having everyone in the family coming together; sitting around the tables and enjoy good old home-cooked Chinese food and then for desserts or snacks, we devour in homemade cookies. Or some might just prefer store bought.

As for myself, I love anything that is home-made. To usher in the Lunar New Year, I decided to make some Orange Blossom cupcakes so I could actually present them as gift for my relatives too. Though there's nothing fancy-schmancy about it; deep down I have always felt that it's the thought that matters and spreading some sheer joy on my home-baked goodies. This cupcake is Orange overload. I just love how a little of orange zest and fresh juice enhances the taste of a basic vanilla or butter cake. It's perfect for orange lovers. Not too heavy and the aroma of an orange cake is just intoxicating. Try imaging the whole kitchen filled with the citrus smell. Delish!

For recipe: Click on image + zoom

To decorate the cuppies, I decided to bring out my inner child in me. Just like how I used to play with play-doh, instead this time I used fondant of course. I rolled the mini mandarin oranges; then to create the little dots on the skin by using a sieve; gently rolling the oranges on it's mesh wire to create the texture. For the blossoms, I hand painted the white flowers with edible pen to give that effect like it was water colour painted. This is what I call playing with food and incorporating my so called artistic talent..LOL. What do you think? Do you like them yet?

Lastly, Elisabeth from Food and Thrift Finds if you're reading this post; THANKS for awarding me with the Inspirational Blog Award. I couldn't wait to present this Award forward. So peeps stay tune!!

xx